Feed millers ‘over-pricing’ feed compound rations

IFA president John Bryan has hit out at feed millers, accusing them of over-pricing compound feed rations compared to the cost of the feed ingredients, and urged livestock and grain farmers to avail of farm-to-farm trading in order to increase grain profits and considerably reduce animal feed costs.

He said, “Livestock farmers can take out many of the unnecessary costs, such as double and treble transport charges, manufacturing and retail margins associated with compound feed, by sourcing cereal feed direct from grain growers. This route is the most efficient route to market for grain and livestock farmers, providing much needed competition and additional margin at a critical time of the year when the trade attempts to talk down prices”.

He said, “Grain off the combine represents the best value feed that money can buy, as cereals are the most versatile feed available. There are a wide range of proven processing and preserving options available to suit most farm situations. Cereals are the highest energy feed ingredient and represent real value for money. Their performance is unquestionable, both in terms of increased milk proteins and carcase gain in beef animals”.